Unfolding box for pastries and cakes, made form a blank cut out in one single piece

ABSTRACT

An unfolding box the base of which is quadrilateral in shape, and its sides are extended by two main flaps and two secondary flaps, respectively associated with two opposite sides by a folding line, the flaps have no folds and their width increases from the base side, their edge being convex, to decrease again towards the flap ends. The main flaps are extended by a blocking and gripping strip, the secondary flaps are curved against the edges of the main flaps bearing against them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an unfolding box for pastries, cakes or the like, enabling such products to be placed in and removed from the box when the latter is at least partly unfolded flat, comprising a base bordered on each side by flaps which, when joined together, form the peripheral shape and the upper part of the box, while also constituting a gripping means, the whole being cut out in one piece from a blank of cardboard or similar material.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Various types of folding boxes are known, manufactured by cardboard-makers and folded flat for delivery to the user. Conventional boxes for pastries are known in particular. These comprise an integral element formed from a base bordered by three edges, the rear edge carrying the lid. In order to be folded flat, the sides of the base and the sides of the lid are folded along folding lines.

[0005] Such pastry boxes have been used for decades and have the advantage that they can be folded flat and then unfolded to receive the products to be packaged at the time of sale. Thanks to their walls and the fact that the walls of the different sides are joined to one another in the unfolded state, these boxes are sufficiently rigid to be able to be tied with a ribbon and carried by holding the said ribbon.

[0006] However, these boxes have a number of disadvantages, the most serious of which is the height of the edges or even the existence of the base edges themselves. In fact, in order to place the products, in particular fragile products such as pastries, in such a box, the said products have to be manipulated with tongs and slid from above into the box since the sides of the latter do not enable the products to be introduced flat.

[0007] The same difficulty arises when removing the products.

[0008] A box is also known according to French Patent document FR 88 13 968 of Oct. 26, 1988, which describes a box corresponding to the type specified above and having very interesting features, and which is to some extent crush-proof.

[0009] However, in many cases it is not absolutely necessary for the box to be crush-proof as it is only subject to “traction”, since it either rests on a surface (table, service counter, etc.) or is carried by hand placed underneath its base or held by means of the gripping strips.

[0010] Since this box should be resistant to compression, its structure is relatively complicated and its assembly requires a certain skill on the part of the user.

[0011] Finally, there exists a type of packaging for pastries called a “pyramid”. This comprises a square sheet of cardboard constituting the base for receiving the pastries and which is surrounded by a sheet forming a pyramidal cover secured underneath the base by adhesive tape. The top of this pyramidal arrangement is closed and then tied with a ribbon for holding the suspended package. A great deal of skill is required to effect this packaging. It is also relatively costly on account of the large amount of paper that is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The object of the present invention is to remedy these disadvantages and to provide a box to contain and transport fragile products such as pastries, cakes or also products for which it is desirable to be able to open the box or place it flat at the time when the products are being placed in the box or removed therefrom, the said box moreover being compact, light and, in particular, very easy to close and open.

[0013] To this end the invention relates to a box of the type specified above, characterized in that the base is quadrilateral in shape, the sides of the base are extended by two main flaps and two secondary flaps associated respectively with two opposite sides of the base by a folding line, the flaps have no fold and their width increases from the side of the base, their edge having a convex shape, and decreases again towards the end, the main flaps are extended by a blocking and gripping strip joined to the flap by a folding line, the secondary flaps are provided with a longitudinal slit in their end to receive the strips of the main flaps when the latter are joined by their strips, and the secondary flaps are curved against the edges of the main flaps, bearing against the latter and engaging via their slit on the strips.

[0014] The box according to the invention whose base is quadrilateral in shape, that is to say is in the shape of a lozenge or parallelogram, in particular a rectangle or square, is of very simple design and can also be assembled extremely easily. All that is required is to lift up the two main flaps vertically and hold them assembled by their strips and then curve one of the secondary flaps against the edge of the two main flaps; the end of the secondary flap together with its slit is then passed over the two strips and the secondary flap is thereby engaged in order to preserve the shape of the whole arrangement.

[0015] The assembly procedure is completed by closing the other secondary flap, by bending it naturally against the opposite edge of the two main flaps and passing its edge together with its slit in the same way over the two already assembled strips.

[0016] The packaging is then complete and retains its shape, on the one hand on account of the elasticity of the two main flaps, which do not comprise a folding line and whose curvature is continuous and flexible, between the corresponding edge of the base of the box and the folding line joining the flap to the strip; this line is located in the plane of assembly.

[0017] Depending on the shape of the quadrilateral constituting the base of the box and the resulting flap shape, the folding line between the strip and the flap, which is always situated in the plane of assembly, may be parallel or inclined with respect to the folding line joining the flap to the base when the flap is flat.

[0018] According to the invention, the secondary flaps enclose the edges of the main flaps when assembled and extend beyond these edges. On account of the elasticity of the assembled arrangement the main flaps have a tendency to lift the strips, and the secondary flaps, engaged on both sides of the two joined strips, are held together; an optimum shape is established in which the secondary flaps close almost perfectly, the contour defined by the main flaps in the assembled position.

[0019] It should be noted that the main flaps operate under compression with respect to the secondary flaps. Since the main flaps do not remain flat but form a regular surface which, in the case of a base in the space of a parallelogram, is a cylindrical surface whose generatrices are parallel to the folding line between the flap and the base, this constitutes a rigid spacing or bracing means on which the secondary flaps may be supported.

[0020] The secondary flaps operate under traction and are held in their position of minimum length by the effect of elasticity produced by the main flaps, which have a tendency to lift up the strips.

[0021] The whole arrangement forms an extremely coherent structure which remains rigid when the box is in the suspended position, i.e., held by the strips.

[0022] When the box is placed on a surface, the elasticity of the main flaps prevents the box collapsing. The engagement of the secondary flaps on the strips produces a certain squeezing effect so as to subject the main flaps to tension.

[0023] According to other advantageous characteristics, the quadrilateral shape of the base is a parallelogram and, in particular, a rectangle, and more especially a square. Further, the strips are provided with corresponding openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partly assembled unfolding box;

[0026]FIG. 2 shows the box of FIG. 1 in the closed position;

[0027]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a cut-out blank for an unfolding box, in the case where the base is in the shape of a square;

[0028]FIG. 4 shows the folding of the blank of FIG. 3 along a diagonal of the base;

[0029]FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatical view of the first stage involved in closing the box, i.e., the joining of the two main flaps;

[0030]FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatical view of the second stage involved in closing the box, i.e., the closure of one of the secondary flaps on the two main flaps;

[0031]FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatical view of the third stage involved in closing the box, i.e., the closure of the second secondary flap on the main flaps and the other secondary flap already in place; and

[0032]FIG. 8 is a side view of the box of FIG. 7, (seen from the left).

[0033] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention relates to an unfolding box intended to contain and transport fragile products such as pastries, cakes or products requiring similar handling and precautions.

[0035] This box is designed to be filled when unfolded flat or partly unfolded and to offer or present the products, on opening the box, also in an at least a partly unfolded state.

[0036]FIG. 1 shows such a partly unfolded position or position before complete closure, while FIG. 2 shows the box in the closed position.

[0037] The box formed by cutting out a blank of flexible cardboard or similar material comprises a base 1 bordered by two main flaps 2, 3, and two secondary flaps 4, 5.

[0038] In general the base 1 has a quadrilateral shape, such as a parallelogram. More especially, the base has a rectangular shape and, in particular, is square.

[0039] The main flaps 2, 3 and secondary flaps 4, 5 are joined to the base by folding lines 6, 7, 8, 9.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3 in the particular case where the base 1 is square shaped, the main flaps and secondary flaps have a shape that widens starting from the sides 6, 7, 8, 9 of the base to reach a certain width, and then decrease again in the direction of the end.

[0041] In FIG. 3 the sides of the quadrilateral of the base 1 have a length (a) and (a1), and the largest dimension of the flaps corresponds to (b), (b1).

[0042] The same applies as regards the edges 41 of the flap 4, which have a convex shape that decreases again towards the end 42.

[0043] The same comments also apply as regards the other flaps 3 and 5.

[0044] Moreover, in general the main flaps 2 and 3 have a shape that is identical or at least similar, and the same is the case as regards the secondary flaps 4 and 5. In other case where the base 1 is in the shape of a parallelogram and in particular a rectangle or square, the main flaps and the secondary flaps are identical in pairs. In the case of a quadrilateral that is not a parallelogram, the flaps have similar shapes obtained as it were by squeezing or “slanting” the shape shown in plan in FIG. 3.

[0045] In the case of a base 1 consisting of a non-rectangular parallelogram or quadrilateral, the widths b, b1 are always measured parallel to the folding line 6, 7, 8, 9 between the flaps 2, 3, 4, 5 and the base 1.

[0046] The curvatures 21, 31, 41, 51 of the edges of the flaps are of convex shape in the part near the base, and terminate towards the end in a shape that decreases in width (this may also occur according to a convex curvature).

[0047] The main flaps 2, 3 are terminated by a strip 10, 11 joined to the main flap 2, 3 by a folding line 12, 13.

[0048] The secondary flaps 4, 5 are provided at their ends 42, 52 with slits 14, 15 respectively in order to engage and receive the strips 10, 11 in the joined position.

[0049] Finally, the base 1 is preferably provided with a folding line 16 which enables the cut-out blank to be folded so as to reduce the space it occupies, as shown in FIG. 4. (FIG. 4 shows only half of the folded blank, the other part being omitted). This other part consists of the main flap 2 and the secondary flap 4.

[0050] The folding line 26 divides the base 1 into two triangles 1A, 1B.

[0051] The flaps 10, 11 are each provided with an opening 17, 18 facilitating gripping and capable of receiving a string or label tag.

[0052] It should be noted that, as will become apparent later, when the main flaps 2, 3 are reclosed, the strips 10, 11 being applied against one another, this forms a cylindrical or tubular surface that thereby imparts rigidity to the base 1, which can then no longer be folded along the line 16.

[0053] The assembly that will be described in more detail hereinafter with the aid of FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 is also shown in the perspective views of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0054] Before closing the packaging, the user generally receives the blanks folded as shown in FIG. 4. Starting from this position the blank is unfolded so that it is flat, and after the products have been placed on the base 1 the strips 10, 11 of the main flaps 2, 3 are then joined by bending the flaps 2, 3 down. By this movement the flaps 2, 3 are converted from their flat shape to a bent shape.

[0055] Next, one of the secondary flaps, for example the flap 4, is taken and is pulled against the edges 21, 31 of the main flaps so as to side it together with its slit 14 over the strips 10, 11 in order to bring the edge of the slit 14 behind the opposite end of the strips 10, 11, which forms a sort of hook 101, 102.

[0056] This positioning is effected by gently squeezing the main flaps 2, 3 in order to increase their length.

[0057] In this closure position the secondary flap 4 rests against the edges 21, 31 of the flaps 2, 3, i.e., it extends beyond the edges 21, 31 by its convex part corresponding to the convex curvature 41.

[0058] The positioning of the other secondary flap 5 is effected in the same way, by sliding its slit 15 over the flaps 10, 11 and engaging this slit behind the other hook 101, 102 of the flaps 10, 11.

[0059] The assembled arrangement is that shown in FIG. 2.

[0060]FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show diagrammatically and in side view the three assembly faces.

[0061] The right-hand part of FIG. 5 shows the shape of the main flaps, which are still flat and are simply folded along the folding lines 6, 7 with the base 1, while the left-hand part shows the main flaps slightly pressed in (compression) in order to effect bending and enable the secondary flaps to be inserted in place.

[0062] When the strips are joined they are situated in the plane of assembly which, in the case of a parallelepiped-shaped base (also rectangular or square), corresponds to a mid plane passing through the mid line of the sides of the secondary flaps. This mid line corresponds to the line X-X in FIG. 1.

[0063]FIG. 6 shows the insertion in place of the secondary flap 4 over the strips 10, 11, with the secondary flap 5 still loose.

[0064]FIG. 7 shows the insertion in place of the secondary flap 5.

[0065]FIG. 8 is a view from the right of the partly open box according to FIG. 6, at the end of the insertion in place of the flap 4; flap 5 being omitted from this figure.

[0066] The box is partly closed; the strips 10, 11 are engaged in the slit 14 at the end 42 of the secondary flap 4. This FIG. 8 shows in particular that the contour of the secondary flap 4 extends beyond the section of the cylinder formed by the main flaps 2, 3 and the base 1, at the end of the operation corresponding to FIG. 6.

[0067] This figure corresponds, with the exception of some slight difference, also to that of a transverse section of the finished packaging, for example according to FIG. 2.

[0068] While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Unfolding box for pastries, cakes, or the like, enabling such products to be placed in and removed from the box when the latter is at least partly unfolded flat, said box comprising: a base; two main flaps; two secondary flaps; said base bordered on each side by said flaps which, when joined together, form the peripheral shape and the upper part of the box while also constituting a gripping means, the whole box being cut out in one single piece from a cardboard blank or blank of similar material; said base quadrilateral in shape; the sides of the base connected to said two main flaps and said two secondary flaps associated respectively with two opposite sides of said base by a fold line; said main flaps extended by a locking and tripping strip joined to said main flaps by a fold line; said secondary flaps having a longitudinal slit in their end to receive said strips of said main flaps when said main flaps are joined by their strips; said main and secondary flaps having no fold and their width increasing from a respective side of said base, their flap edge having a convex shape, and then decreasing towards the flap end; and said secondary flaps curved against the edges of said main flaps and bear against said main flaps and engage via said slit with said strips.
 2. A box according to claim 1 in which the quadrilateral shape of said base is a parallelogram.
 3. A box according to claim 1 in which the quadrilateral shape of said base is a rectangle.
 4. A box according to claim 1 in which the quadrilateral shape of said base is a square.
 5. A box according to claim 1 in which said strips are provided with corresponding openings.
 6. An unfolding box for pastries, cakes, or the like, enabling such products to be placed in and removed from the box when the latter is at least partly unfolded flat, said box comprising a base bordered on each side by flaps which, when joined together, form the peripheral shape and the upper part of the box while also constituting a gripping means, the whole being cut out in one single piece from a cardboard blank or blank of similar material, and wherein: the base (1) is quadrilateral in shape; the sides of the base are extended by two main flaps (2, 3) and two secondary flaps (4, 5) associated respectively with two opposite sides (6, 7 and 8, 9) of the base (1) by a fold line; the main flaps (2, 3) are extended by a locking and tripping strip (10, 11) joined to the flaps (2, 3) by a fold line (12, 13); the secondary flaps (4, 5) are provided with a longitudinal slit (14, 15) in their end (42, 52) to receive the strips (10, 11) of the main flaps (2, 3) when the latter are joined by their strips (10, 11), characterized in that; the flaps (2, 3, 4, 5) have no fold and their width (b, b1) increases from the side (a, a1, 6, 7, 8, 9) of the base (1), their edge (21, 31, 41, 51) having a convex shape, to decrease again towards the end (22, 32, 2, 52); and the secondary flaps (4, 5) are curved against the edges (41, 51) of the main flaps (4, 5) and bear against the latter and engage via their slit (14, 15) with the strips (10, 11).
 7. A box according to claim 1 in which the quadrilateral shape of the base (1) is a parallelogram and, in particular, a rectangle, and especially a square.
 8. A box according to claim 1 in which the stirps (10, 11) are provided with corresponding openings (17, 18). 